Description
This Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet is a creamy, flavorful Italian-inspired dish that combines tender mushrooms, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese with perfectly cooked pasta. Made in one skillet, it’s a quick and delicious vegetarian dinner option that’s rich and comforting yet simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta of your choice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup pasta cooking water
- Optional: extra Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic and Mushrooms: Stir in minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Continue cooking for 5-6 minutes until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned.
- Create the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine and allow the cheese to melt into the cream, creating a smooth sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together, gradually adding the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Wilt the Spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted and evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
- Season and Serve: Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Adding a squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the flavors.
- For extra protein, toss in cooked chicken or shrimp.
